Jayapura, Jubi – The number of children suspected of suffering food poisoning after consuming meals provided under Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, rose sharply on Tuesday (4 August 2026), with health authorities reporting that the total had reached more than 100 people by Tuesday night.
The suspected victims came from several villages, including Wanya, Tablanusu, Tablasupa, Dormena, Yepase, Wambena, Kendate, and Nusu.
Depapre District Head Alva Tamaela confirmed that his office had coordinated with the Depapre Community Health Centre (Puskesmas) after reports emerged that children had fallen ill after eating meals distributed through the MBG program.
The first patients reportedly arrived at the health centre during the afternoon, experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Earlier reports indicated that around 11 people had initially been admitted for treatment, including preschool children, primary school students, junior high school students, a teacher from Kendate Village, and a child from Yepase Village.
However, by Tuesday evening, the number of patients had increased dramatically.
Jayapura Regency Health Office head Anton Mote, speaking at the Depapre Community Health Centre, said patients continued arriving in waves from different villages, overwhelming the facility's emergency department.
According to Mote, the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) serving Depapre District had prepared around 1,500 meal packages for primary and junior secondary schools across seven villages.
"Between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., the number of patients arriving was estimated at between 100 and 150. Some did not stop at the Depapre health centre and went straight to Yowari Regional Hospital," Mote said.
Because the Depapre health centre could no longer accommodate the growing number of patients, some were redirected to nearby health centres in Dosai, Waibhu, Sentani, and Komba, while others were taken to Yowari Regional Hospital (RSUD Yowari).
The emergency department at Yowari Regional Hospital also reached capacity, forcing authorities to erect an emergency tent in the hospital grounds.
Additional patients were admitted to Dian Harapan Hospital and Jayapura Central General Hospital (RSUP Jayapura), which is operated by Indonesia's Ministry of Health. The hospital reportedly prepared 16 beds for patients requiring specialist treatment, and several patients were referred directly there.
Mote said patients requiring specialist care had already been evacuated, but the overall situation remained under control, including those in serious condition.
"We have mobilised all ambulances from community health centres to Depapre, along with several ambulances from hospitals in Jayapura city," he said.
Tamaela called for tighter supervision of the SPPG service operating in Depapre and urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the implementation of the MBG program in the district.
"Our immediate priority is treating the hundreds of affected patients," he said.
Jayapura Regency Council member Bob Banundi, who visited the Depapre Community Health Centre to monitor the emergency response, also called for an investigation.
He said additional ambulances, medicines, and medical personnel should be deployed from nearby health facilities to support treatment efforts.
"As a member of Commission C, which oversees the health sector, we will inspect the SPPG facility to ensure all procedures were carried out in accordance with regulations. We also urge the Indigenous community to remain calm and assist the medical response until all patients have been treated," Banundi said.
As of publication, the head of the Depapre Community Health Centre had not responded to requests for comment regarding the suspected food poisoning cases.